NHL Predictions 2011-12: Surprise Playoff Teams

Almost a quarter of the way into the 2011-12 NHL regular season, the league standings look drastically different than many hockey enthusiasts expected them to look at this point. Highlights include the Anaheim Ducks way down at 14th in the Western Conference and the Florida Panthers at third place in the East. 

The standings often look strange at the beginning of the season and eventually shift in a way that makes more sense, but some of the big-time risers look like they could be the real deal.

Here are seven clubs that have a strong chance at making a surprise playoff run this year.  

Edmonton Oilers

Thanks in large part to the rapid emergence of rookie pivot Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as a top-flight scorer and the strong play of veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin, the Edmonton Oilers have a winning record of 10-7-2 and are tied for eighth place in the Western Conference. 

Taylor Hall is building on his impressive rookie season, with 14 points in 18 games so far, and fellow sophomore Jordan Eberle currently has a whopping 17 points. 

Aside from the lack of offensive production from their blue line, the Oilers are firing on all cylinders right now and could find themselves securing a low seed in the playoffs this year. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Led by All-Star sniper Phil Kessel and captain Dion Phaneuf, the Toronto Maple Leafs are finally playing to their potential and making a serious playoff push. 

Kessel's league-leading 16 goals and 29 points have been key in helping the Leafs string together multiple victories, and his impressive play has ignited linemate Joffrey Lupul, who has 25 points in 21 games so far. 

Add the strong performances of rearguards Phaneuf and John-Michael Liles and the result is a team that is well-deserving of their 11-8-2 fifth-place record in the Eastern Conference.

Keep an eye on Toronto this season. 

Phoenix Coyotes

The Phoenix Coyotes were expected to be basement-dwellers in 2011-12 after losing goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to the Philadelphia Flyers this offseason. 

Instead, free-agent addition Mike Smith has been stellar between the pipes and their defense has been rock solid, allowing just 45 goals against. 

30-year-old sniper Radim Vrbata, defenseman Keith Yandle and captain Shane Doan have been key in providing offense for a team that is considered by most to be very challenged in that area. 

Currently fifth in the tightly-contested Western Conference with a 10-5-3 record, the Coyotes are playing well on both ends of the rink and are silencing their critics. 

New Jersey Devils

After a severely disappointing campaign in 2010-11, the New Jersey Devils are tied with the Washington Capitals for ninth in the East at 10-7-1. 

The return of captain and top scorer Zach Parise has been a huge boost for the club, as has the incredible play of aging center Patrik Elias, who has 18 points in 18 games played. 

Johan Hedberg has taken over in net for the struggling Martin Brodeur and has performed admirably thus far, with six wins in 11 starts to go along with a .914 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average. 

They haven't been playing lights-out and have room for improvement, but New Jersey is looking like an entirely different team than they did last year and could contend for a playoff spot as a low seed in the Eastern Conference. 

Minnesota Wild

Arguably be the biggest shocker of this young season, the Minnesota Wild sit atop the league standings with a record of 12-5-3. They have allowed the fewest goals against of any team, giving up just 40 goals in 20 games.

The No. 1 key to the Wild's success has been the outstanding play of netminder Niklas Backstrom, who's 7-4-2 with two shutouts, a .935 save percentage and a 1.97 goals-against average.

Offseason acquisitions Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi have contributed on the scoresheet, as have Mikko Koivu and Guillaume Latendresse.

What's scary about Minnesota is that they're in first place and haven't even hit their groove yet. Their offense is capable of much more, and when Heatley and Setoguchi have become further acclimated to the team's system, their top six will be lethal.

They probably won't still be in first place by the end of the regular season, but don't expect the Wild to slip out of the playoff picture.  

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have played poorly in their own end, allowing 70 goals against in just 21 games played so far, but their offense has been clicking and has earned them several victories. 

Russian rearguard Sergei Gonchar, who has 14 points already this season, has been a key offensive contributor. Pivot Jason Spezza is finally returning to elite form and winger Milan Michalek has 12 goals and six assists for 18 points. 

Despite their defensive woes, the Senators are in eighth place in the East. If they work on their play in their own end, their 10-9-2 record could easily improve. 

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers' record of 10-6-3 for third place in the Eastern Conference rivals the Minnesota Wild's ranking for the biggest surprise of the 2011-12 season thus far. 

With just 48 goals against, Florida has been one of the league's best defensive teams while also producing offensively. Jose Theodore's goaltending has been solid, as well.

Offseason addition Kris Versteeg is leading the way with 22 points in 19 games, and Tomas Fleischmann, Brian Campbell and Stephen Weiss aren't far behind.

The Panthers have benefited from their key players stepping up and everyone pulling their own weight. With the exception of a few stragglers (that's you, Jack Skille and Scottie Upshall), Florida is receiving contributions from each and every player and looks well on their way to securing their first playoff berth since the 1999-2000 season.  

Sam Kelly is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @samkelly10.